Berlin governing party chooses city development minister as new mayor after incumbent quits

FILE - In this Aug. 29, 2014 file picture Berlin politician Michael Mueller is photographed in Berlin. Members of Berlin’s main governing party have chosen the city’s development minister to be its new mayor . The center-left Social Democrats said Michael Mueller won 59.1 percent support in a membership ballot. He was far ahead of two rivals, local party chairman Jan Stoess with 20.9 percent and Palestinian-born caucus leader Raed Saleh, who won 18.6 percent. Mayor Klaus Wowereit plans to step down Dec. 11 after over 13 years in power, nearly two years before his term expires. He was long popular but his reputation suffered from persistent delays in opening Berlin's new airport. (AP Photo/dpa, Stephanie Pilick,File)
(The Associated Press)

FILE - In this Oct. 10, 2011 file picture, Berlin mayor, Klaus Wowereit , left, stands next to Berlin politician, Michael Mueller in Berlin. Members of Berlin’s main governing party have chosen the city’s development minister to be its new mayor . The center-left Social Democrats said Michael Mueller won 59.1 percent support in a membership ballot. He was far ahead of two rivals, local party chairman Jan Stoess with 20.9 percent and Palestinian-born caucus leader Raed Saleh, who won 18.6 percent. Mayor Klaus Wowereit plans to step down Dec. 11 after over 13 years in power, nearly two years before his term expires. He was long popular but his reputation suffered from persistent delays in opening Berlin's new airport. (AP Photo/dpa, Tim Brakemeier,File)
(The Associated Press)

Berlin politician, Michael Mueller attends a meeting at the Berlin Social Democratic Party's headquarter in Berlin, Saturday Oct. 18, 2014. Members of Berlin’s main governing party have chosen the city’s development minister to be its new mayor . The center-left Social Democrats said Michael Mueller won 59.1 percent support in a membership ballot. He was far ahead of two rivals, local party chairman Jan Stoess with 20.9 percent and Palestinian-born caucus leader Raed Saleh, who won 18.6 percent. Mayor Klaus Wowereit plans to step down Dec. 11 after over 13 years in power, nearly two years before his term expires. He was long popular but his reputation suffered from persistent delays in opening Berlin's new airport. (AP Photo/dpa,Wolfgang Kumm)
(The Associated Press)

BERLIN – Members of Berlin's main governing party have chosen the city's development minister to be its new mayor after the charismatic and long-serving incumbent announced his resignation.

The center-left Social Democrats said Saturday that Michael Mueller won 59.1 percent support in a membership ballot. He was far ahead of two rivals — local party chairman Jan Stoess with 20.9 percent and Palestinian-born caucus leader Raed Saleh, who won 18.6 percent.

Mayor Klaus Wowereit plans to step down Dec. 11 after over 13 years in power, two years before his term expires. He was long popular but his reputation suffered from persistent delays in opening Berlin's new airport.

The Berlin state parliament will elect his successor. Since a Social Democrat-led coalition has a majority there, Mueller is all but guaranteed the job.